Human papillomavirus is the second most common virus after the herpes virus family. Almost everyone has encountered it, most are asymptomatic carriers. However, not everyone has papillomas, warts and other symptoms. In the article we will tell you what factors affect the appearance of papillomas and how they can be effectively combated with the help of medications.
Causes of papillomas
Papillomavirus does not always manage to become active; A healthy immune system successfully suppresses infection. However, when protection is weakened, HPV can multiply and cause uncontrolled division of epidermal cells. Most often, warts and papillomas on the skin appear in the following categories of people:
- children and adolescents whose immunity is still not perfect;
- pregnant women due to suppression of the natural immune system necessary for childbearing;
- old humans;
- smokers and regular drinkers of alcohol;
- obese;
- patients with diabetes, thyroid diseases;
- Immunocompromised patients, including HIV;
- Those who have been treated with strong antibiotics, corticosteroids and cytostatics.
Strategy for combating papillomas
Treatment of papillomas should be comprehensive. It contains several fields:
- Removal of tumors;
- Immunomodulatory therapy when necessary;
- Improving overall health, lifestyle optimization.
Modern pharmacology, offering many drugs for the treatment of papillomatosis, copes with the first two points quite successfully.
Preparations for spontaneous removal of papillomas
Doctors strongly do not recommend removing papillomas at home, they give several arguments:
- It is difficult for a layman to distinguish papilloma or wart from other hyperplasias. This requires a biopsy; the resulting microsample is then examined under high magnification;
- To remove papillomas, doctors use modern effective methods that are inaccessible to ordinary people (cryodestruction, laser, radio knife, electrocoagulation);
- Household chemicals can cause burns and leave scars if used carelessly.
However, today pharmacies offer many products for the removal of skin tumors. Here is a list of the most common.
An effective drug with embalming and cauterizing effects. Its basis is phenol and 3-methylphenol - substances that coagulate proteins. The product is available as an oily solution in a glass bottle. An applicator is attached to the cap. The drug is inexpensive, the bottle is enough to remove a large number of tumors.
For small filamentous or stalked papillomas, one application is sufficient. If the wart is old, keratinized or dry, it is recommended to first soften the keratin layer using a patch containing salicylic acid or salicylic ointment and only then apply the solution. Apply several times to large old growths, taking a break for 3-5 minutes.
Important!
Removal of papillomas and condylomas on the mucous membranes with this drug is prohibited. This is dangerous for your health!
The drug is allowed to be used by pregnant and lactating women (on the recommendation of a doctor).
A preparation based on acids - nitric, acetic, oxalic, lactic. Its cost is higher than the previous product.
The drug acts on warts in a drying and necrotizing way. It is available in the form of a solution. After use, the growths change color and fall off after a few days, a crust forms in this place, which cannot be torn off, otherwise scars may remain. The skin needs to heal itself. Scope of application – any rough and flat warts, condylomas.
Important!
The drug should not be applied to the face or anogenital area - the burning sensation can be very strong and there is a risk of acid getting into the eyes or mucous membranes!
It is recommended to simultaneously remove no more than three warts with the drug with a total area of up to 3 cm². Pregnant and lactating women can use the drug only as prescribed by a doctor and under his supervision - in the manipulation room of a clinic or hospital.
In addition to this drug, pharmacies sometimes sell another drug based on acids (lactic and salicylic). The principle of use, indications and contraindications are the same.
For those who do not want to burn warts with concentrated acids and chemicals, another method was invented - freezing. This is an aerosol containing dimethyl ether and propane.
The drug effectively helps against all types of rough warts, including filiform and flat ones, as well as plantar warts. There are almost no restrictions on use. Since the product does not contain toxic components, it can be used by pregnant women, nursing mothers and children over 4 years old.
The aerosol is applied using a special disposable foam applicator to deliver the ether exactly to the desired location. The product is sprayed for 10-20 seconds (depending on the size of the wart or papilloma). Fresh small formations disappear after one application; Large and old formations may require 2-4 applications.
It is an easy-to-use and safe product developed by a Japanese company. Its only drawback is its high price. The bottle is enough to treat 5-8 warts or 12 small papillomas.
There is an alternative to the previous drug, this time produced in Ireland. And it costs a little less. Indications, contraindications and method of use are the same.
Immunomodulatory therapy
Drug treatment of papillomas involves suppressing the activity of the HPV virus to prevent the emergence of new formations in place of the removed ones. For this purpose, antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs are used, which are taken in parallel with agents for local treatment, as well as measures to remove papillomas and warts.
A drug commonly prescribed by doctors that suppresses HPV. It stimulates the synthesis of killer and helper cells, the production of interleukin-2, and increases the activity of monocytes and nuclear cells. All this helps suppress the proliferation (multiplication) of viruses in cells.
Tablets are taken orally at regular intervals, 2 tablets 4 times a day. The course of treatment is two weeks, then take a break for the same period and repeat the treatment.
The drug gives the best results in the early stages, when tumors have just appeared, then it is possible to quickly and effectively suppress the virus. The product is suitable for use by children over 3 years old. The dosage for them is calculated based on weight - 50 mcg/kg. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are contraindications to the use of the drug.
The solution is administered intravenously or rectally in the form of suppositories. Its basis is a plant polysaccharide that stimulates the production of its own interferons and suppresses the multiplication of the virus. The cost is quite high. 5 ampoules are sufficient for one course of treatment.
In addition to injections, a gel is applied to the skin after tumor removal. With such complex treatment it is possible to prevent the appearance of new papillomas in 95% of cases.
Cream with immunomodulatory effect. Apply to the skin three times a week for 8-10 hours (at night) until the desired result is achieved. According to user reviews, the drug is effective against filiform papillomas, senile keratomas, condylomas and other defects.
The drug is not suitable for children under 18 years of age and breastfeeding women. A doctor should be consulted during pregnancy.
The product based on interferon alfa-2b in the form of gel, ointment or cream is suitable for all categories, including pregnant mothers and babies. The drug is non-toxic and causes almost no side effects. It is applied to skin tumors 3 times a day for 2 weeks to 1 month. The price is low.
The medicine contains affinity-purified antibodies against human interferon in homeopathic dilutions. Doctors in general are skeptical about homeopathy, so they rarely prescribe it. But the product also has advantages: non-toxic, children's dosage, affordable price. It is recommended to take this medicine not separately, but as part of complex therapy.
Effective interferon inducer. It is available in tablets with dosages of 1 and 10 mg. The first is prescribed to children and people over 65 years of age, the second to adults, except pregnant and breastfeeding women.
It is recommended to take the drug every hour - at equal intervals, so its effectiveness will be maximum. Course – 10 days. Tablets of 1 mg are taken three times a day, 10 mg - once.
The drug is completely non-toxic, well tolerated and combined with other drugs.
Personal reviews of drugs for the treatment of papillomas
- "I removed small papillomas on my neck in the salon, but a year later they appeared again. It was a shame to pay so much money for the second time, I bought an aerosol based on dimethyl ether and propane to try. At first I was afraid that nothing would work out, after application I had to wait 10 days "During this time, I almost forgot that I had removed the papillomas, but one day I got out of the shower and they were gone; my neck was clean. "
- "Several times I tried to remove the warts on my hands with acetic acid. It was very painful, but the warts disappeared. True, then new ones grew in the same place. Apparently the acid does not burn completely. The doctor recommended a phenol-based cautery. I used it for a week, the warts turned white, fell off and it never came out again. "